German Tigers Grounded After Crash

Mar. 5, 2013 - 06:39PM
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Bonn — All German Tiger helicopters have been grounded following the March 4 crash of one of the Army Air Corps’ most modern Tiger attack helicopters during a training mission near Ettal in the Bavarian Alps in southern Germany.

Both pilots were only slightly injured and could leave the helicopter without assistance. According to the military, they are under observation in a military hospital. There were no other injuries. The aircraft was not armed, but was destroyed in the accident.

Pilots and helicopters were stationed at the attack helicopter regiment 36 in Fritzlar in the state of Hesse in the middle of Germany.

“The investigations are ongoing” a spokesman of the Bundeswehr said. “The reason for this crash is still completely unknown.”

It is also not clear how long these investigations will take and when the helicopters will be flying again.

The helicopter involved in the crash was the most modern version. These Afghanistan stabilization German Army rapid deployment (ASGARD) aircraft are equipped with additional ballistic protection, blade protection kits, sand filters and improved defensive equipment. The armament consists of 12.7mm gun pods, 19x70mm unguided rockets and the HOT anti-tank missile. Currently, Germany has four aircraft based in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan.

Germany plans to procure 40 Tigers, including 12 ASGARD. Currently, the military owns 29 aircrafts of which 13 are already stationed in Fritzlar.